I was looking forward to seeing Workshop Theatre and Green Productions presentation of Norm Foster’s “The Melville Boys” at the Pumphouse Theatres last night. I read this play about 20 years ago when I was a theatre student. I always wanted to see this play on stage. It took me a couple of decades to see it happen and it was well worth the wait.

It’s great to see a classic Canadian play be produced by a local group with local theatre talent. What could happen when two brothers go to a cabin to do some fishing and drink a few beers? Family relationships are complicated and when you add cancer to the mix, the unexpected may just very well happen. One of the brothers has cancer and it’s the big elephant in the room as The Melville Boys head off to the cabin. Their weekend plans are taken off course when they meet two attractive sisters. Facing your own feelings can be scarier than cancer.

Justin Michael Carriere played Owen Melville, Jayson Therrien played Lee Melville, Samantha Duff played Mary and Kayte Davies played Lorreta. The acting was very solid. The climatic scene between Owen and Lee is one of the most intense scenes I’ve seen on stage for a while. Well done.

And then there was the music… The play’s soundtrack showcased classic tunes from the 1980’s and 1990’s. I could not help but feel nostalgic for that time. Come on, who doesn’t remember the song “Patio Lanterns” by Kim Mitchell?! Anyone? Come on! That song reminds me of summer and camping.

Norm Foster’s “The Melville Boys” runs until March 21, 2015 at the Pumphouse Theatres. Limited tickets are available through www.workshoptheatre.org

I am very excited about promoting this play called “And Then, The Lights Went Out” by Andrew Garland. Produced by Calgary’s Workshop Theatre Society, it’s a play about a writer with a very serious case of writer’s block. The main character is dealing with an impossible deadline in the middle of a heat wave. This play is set in Edmonton, Alberta and is written by Andrew Garland who is orignally from Sherwood Park, Alberta. This play was originally produced in Red Deer, Alberta and the playwright has received awards for his work.

I highly recommend writers of all kind to check out this play! “And Then, The Lights Went Out” runs February 14 – 22, 2014 at the Pumphouse Theatres in Calgary, Alberta. For more information and tickets: www.workshoptheatre.org